Hylton Softball Falls to Battlefield in Regional Tournament

The Hylton Lady Bulldogs softball team had a good year, finishing the regular season 17-4 and the Cardinal District Championship by defeating the Osbourn Park Yellow Jackets.

The Bulldogs' season came to an end on Monday night, however, as the team fell in a tough pitchers' duel against Battlefield High School, 1-0.

Hylton pitcher Nicole Belk struck out seven while only allowing three hits, but a solo home run by Bailey Liddle in the sixth inning was the difference in the game. Hylton managed only two hits against Battelfield pitcher Miranda Kemp, who struck out nine.

"I was proud of the way we played," said Hylton head coach Harry Bell. "Battlefield is a very good team."

Belk worked her way out of an early jam after the first two Battlefield hitters in the game reached base, and escaped the first inning without yielding a run. Both pitchers dominated from that point, not allowing any hits until Hylton strung together two in the fourth inning.

Cortney Bingham and Shae Braxton got back-to-back hits with one out, but Hylton was unable to take advantage of the runners to get a score. That would prove to be the Bulldogs' only good chance in the game.

Liddle's solo home run led off the sixth inning to break the tie. Battlefield managed to get two more hits, but with runners at second and third and one out, Belk once again worked her way out of a jam to get out of the inning. Battlefield's one run, however, proved to be enough to send home the Cardinal District champions.